RM1.1B blocked
PUTRAJAYA: A total of RM1.1 billion found in 408 bank accounts belonging to individuals, political parties and nongovernmental organisations have been frozen on suspicion of having re- ceived funds appropriated from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
The task force investigating the 1MDB scandal revealed in a statement yesterday that among t he accounts f r o z e n were those belonging to 81 individuals and 55 companies.
“The accounts are believed to have been involved in the misappropriation of 1MDB funds, involving 900 transactions between March 2011 and September 2015,” the statement read.
The task force stated it is carrying out an in-depth probe to determine the extent of involvement of the parties and did not discount the possibility of more bank accounts being suspended soon.
It stressed that the investigations are being conducted with fairness to all parties and that the move t o f r e e z e t he accounts was done in accordance with the law and not to victimise any party.
The task force c o mp r i s e s f o r me r attorney-general Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, former MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, current MACC Chief commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull and Special Branch director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador.
It i s t a s ked with investigating all aspects of the scandal, including identifying parties involved in siphoning f unds amounting t o billions of ringgit, following the money trail and the acquisition of assets here and overseas.
On another matter, the task force said it was not behind the freezing of the Tengku Azizah Fertility
Foundation ( TAFF) bank account as speculated by certain parties, as the foundation is neither linked to 1MDB, nor is it under scrutiny.
The task force urged all parties to refrain from linking the matter with the 1MDB probe.
TAFF founder Tengku Puan Pahang Tunku Azizah Maimunah Iskandariah, who is the wife of Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tuanku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, said on Sunday that she was taken aback on learning that the foundation’s bank account was frozen without notice after a cheque issued by TAFF bounced.